WORK ON NEW CHS TRACK IS OUT OF BLOCKS

It has been about three years since Cape Girardeau Central High athletic director Terry Kitchen helped formulate a plan to raise money through private donations for a new track at the school.

Monday, the actual work finally started. And by the end of August, Kitchen said he expects the new track to be ready for use.

"We're very excited," said Kitchen. "This is something we started about three years ago. We finally raised enough money and we're getting started with it."

It was not exactly a smooth process, admitted Kitchen, as substantial donations were hard to come by. But approximately $60,000 was finally raised, which allowed the project to get started.

"We just appreciate all the people who have helped us get this thing going," said Kitchen.

Central's track has been in extremely poor condition for a number of years, forcing the school to use Southeast Missouri State University's track for various meets and practices.

"I can't remember the last time we had a home track meet it's been so long," Kitchen said.

The new track will be built right where the old track was. The first order of business, said Kitchen, is to take out all the old red rock material that has basically been the surface of the track.

"Work is going good. The rock is flying out of there and they'll probably have half of it out before the day is over," said Kitchen as he surveyed the scene late Monday afternoon.

Kitchen said that Kelley Construction and Apex Paving are doing the work on the track.

"They're both giving us really good deals and we appreciate that," he said. "They've been great."

The new eight-lane track will also feature new shot put/discus, pole vault, high jump and long/triple jump areas around the facility.